T.Low

"and Soviet SPorts' Pavel Lysenkov hopes that what he deems a "humiliating" $2 million, one-year contract offer (the Washington Post's Tarik El-Bashir confirms that Fedorov is seeking twice that amount) will spurn the 38-year-old to play in the Continental Hockey League. " The way that is written, its unclear to me wether Lysenkov thinks the offer is humiliating for Sergei, or if Sergei himself thinks its humiliating.

Yeah, I didn't see it either. On the one hand, Hossa and Winter are partners trying to get the biggest contract they can, as normal. But all the while, Hossa is wanting to be a Red Wing, (tired of playing with the Brat Pack Penguins already?). So his priorities change from long term big $, to wanting to fit into the Red Wings system. As you stated, they were laughing about leaving millions of dollars on the table for a chance to win with a winning organization. Bravo to Hossa, props to Winter. They both know there is a very good chance they have just postponned the money, not lost it forever. Personally, I suspect its more like a one year test drive: If everone's still excited this time next year, maybe things get arrainged so Marian Hossa remains a Red Wing, along with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Rafalski, and ...(?) From everyting I've read, Holland has dealt with Rich Winter before, and seems to have enough respect for the guy

There's porn on the internet? Where?

Good work guys, especially Booster. All reasonable worries, IF you are the type to worry. My worry would be if the Illitchs. I think they are the best team owners in all of pro sports. It all starts with them. They have hired the smart hockey people. They have added their successful business principles to the great hockey minds they have hired to come up with a record setting playoff run. I have lived 2500 miles from Detroit for the last 10 years. It seems to me that Illitch's grown son actually has a fair amount of wits about him for taking over for his father when the day comes, if it hasn't happenned already. I mean, not like the Fords of the Lions. Am I right, or should I worry about the day Mike Illitch is done for one reason or another?

And lets face it, in this salary cap era, as a team, gets better, its more difficult to keep it together. So as much as l hate to see Filp go, you may be right. Its got to be a balance of semi expensive star players, older cheaper verteran players, and younger talented cheaper players. Once the young talented players start to mature, then the weeding out process begins. Its a very dynamic situation and process, but Holland and company seem to have a handle on it.

Yeah, because we weren't satisfied with the Stanley Cup! WE NEEDED HOSSA, TOO! (read spoiled kid holding Stanley Cup under one arm, with powty scowl on face, and pointing at Hossa, in uniform with the lineup of free agents on the ice, with the other arm, kids mother saying "Kenny, dear, he wants Hossa, too, just get him Hossa already, geez, just make it happen". Holland, at his desk, wipes sweat from brow, rolls up sleeves, and starts crunching numbers with his pencil trying to make it happen)

Yeah, I was thinking the "Equine Line" as I was reading the first page. I'm sorta suprised that he wasn't Boss Hoss during his days in Georgia.

The thing about Florida and Pheonix is the migration and demographics. People are retiring there and moving there more and more. When I lived there 20 years ago, most of the people I knew were from Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philly, Boston, and Minneapolis. So I think the thinking all along was that if Detroit fans retire in Pheonix, they may go to x amount of Pheonix games, and definitely go when the Wings came to town. The retired Philly fans would go to a few games and of course would go when Philly comes to town. Not to mention the corporate support in those cities. My wife had to go to San Jose on business last year, and she asked if I wanted to go too. I rememberred the Wings were playing there at that time, so I went and got to go to the Shark Tank. Remember, Chelios learned to play in Claifornia, not Chicago. When our buddy Matt Butcher was playing for the Chiliwac Chiefs (outside of Vancouver) we'd go watch him play. Blackwood was their big D man, a frikkin Texan, playing for a junior A team in Canada. These are the same reasons we will soon see a team in Vegas. Scenario: "Dude, we're all going to Vegas this weekend. We got tickets to see the Blue Man Group, Sinatra (OK, bad example) and the Wings are there Saturday nite. Yeefrigginhah baby!" Demographics. That being said, I think Clagary has the best fans. Its always a sea of red at the games, and they are alwasy loud as hell. The only thing is those damn horns drive me nuts.

The original post is a good question. No doubt the Wings will make the playoffs. I would put $ on the Presidents again. But there is no way to tell what will happen in the playoffs until each round is over. WHile skill does beat will in the playoffs, will+skill+preperation has the best chance of winning. I've got until October to save up for a new flatscreen and surround sound. Never before have I ever wanted summer to come to an end, until the Hossa signing. Last October I had a feeling that Wings fans were in for something special, and I now think next season could be really special. Usually teams need to dismantle after a championship, but the Red Wings front office has seen to it that won't be the case this year. But even Holland is suprised at how much better they got. Wow, can't wait.

Quit saying they are a lock!

If I were Maltby, I would lease him #18 for an enormous amount of money for one year, with a long term option. Someone in the NFL did that two or three times, can't remember who it was. Edit: Seriously though, something about Hossa 81 is kinda badass.

How are we suppossed to sit around and wait until next season. I want to enjoy the Cup summer, but really, the excitement for next season is killing me!

This guy, fit in? Yeah, baby!

Hossa's agent and Ken Holland have been trying to get Hossa on the Wings for a while. Hossa has intiated converstaion with the Wings before. This time it finally worked out. Based on what Holland said, I suspect Hossa wants to get his foot in the door with this one year deal to see how it goes, and then see if somehow something can develop long term.

As per usual. NFM, succinctly well put.

Just a leetle beet lowww!

Excellent post. I've thought Drake will probably retire, but now I want to see him came back and get anohter Cup to make up even more for the ones he missed out on! He were's his heart on his elbow pad, and I love what he does for the team. McCarty too, as well as Downey!

Oly fuggin sheet, man. I've got less than 3 months to save for a new flatscreen tv and surround sound! Holland is awesome but remember its a committee in the Red Wings office. And Illitch has created an environment and an organization that players want to be a part of. Players know a good organization when they see one. Hossa's decision is a testament to that. Nil sticking around is testament to that. Scotty Bowman sticking around is testament to that. ( I loved the shot of Yzerman and Bowman sitting up in the booth together watching game 6 of the Finals). Yee f***in hah, baby! Another great day to be a Red Wing fan. Go Wings!

There's a lot more to the NHL than just playing hockey. The travel in the west is down right brutal.. The reporters following a team on a western road trip get exhausted, and they're not even playing. Teams like the Rangers rarely stay in a hotel for conference games, let alone take any four/five hour fights like the Canucks have to quite often.

He wasn't quite a train wreck. Maybe more like a broken down, rusty old Lincoln.

Is Sundin still sleeping?!! Somebody wake his ass up and get his decision, already! I guess its easy to sleep in when you're dreaming about your millions.

Thats why every year he says "Oh, I don't know, maybe I'll go back and play in Sweden next year".

I have a Kristian Huselius in my front yard. They need rich soil and plenty of water with direct sunlight;be careful as they can dry out easily.

After watching Naslund for a few years, I can tell you one thing for certain: when he' sitting on the bench you can read his face like a book. "What the f*** am I doing playing for this horse s*** organization?" Winged Wheel gives you wings!